In the crystallized deep freeze of midnight and early dawn, I often go for long walks. On this cusp of the New Moon, the Star people shine bright. My gaze fixes on the different constellations, feeling into their frequencies. I follow Orion's Butterfly, finding Sirius. Plaides. The Twins. Aldebaran. I trace them in my dreams. I feel into the distance the Star people have journeyed to assist us on our Earth Walk. Immense gratitude pulses through my being with reverence for Life, for the unfathomable miracle of our existence, here, Now. I feel into our lineage that extends through Infinity in all directions, All of us, Breathing, here, Now.

Oh Pachamama, Blessed Ma ...

This feeling sensation changes color as I simultaneously feel the deep suffering human beings are inflicting upon our Beloved Pachamama and Her children. The grief waters rise, washing me from inside.

I feel the plants are amplifying their communication with human beings, eager to assist, instruct, and support. The Nervines seem especially powerful at this time. Scutellaria lateriflorafound me during a time when I struggled to maintain presence and witness amidst overwhelming anxiety and stress. Her beautiful green leaves and purple blue hooded flowers that I tinctured in the peak of summer have deepened to a deep rich green that is opaque, almost black.

I drink Her deep into my body. Skullcap speaks directly to the nervous system, bringing relaxation and calm, helping to rest an active mind. Many of my dear Kin and respected Herbalists adore Skullcap, naming Her a respected place as one of their main allies, a best friend, and a staple in their first aid kit for dealing with pain and trauma. Kiva Rose calls this plant "Blisswort". She is a powerful nervine, yet Her taste is relatively gentle and not too bitter.

Scutellaria lateriflora grows in my garden. In my richly composted soil She spreads with ease, tenacious without being overbearing. I seeded Her here years ago and have delighted in transplanting Her roots to share with Kin. I encourage you to grow Her as well, if you have the space. She loves the soil and place where I have rooted Her, but Susan Weed writes that Skullcap is 'fussy, and very demanding. Unlike most mints, She likes rich earth, but not too rich. She wants wet soil, but not too wet. And She likes dappled sunlight but not too shady, and not too sunny either."

She is worth taking the time to get to know intimately, as powerful support to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. I encourage you to seek Her as She is seeking you.

MEDICINE:

Skullcap is of the Lamiaceae clan, the mint family. Scutellaria derives from the Latin scutella, a small dish or tray, referring to the appearance of the sepals during the fruiting period. Lateriflora means 'flowering on one side,' reflecting how the flowers appear on one sided racemes. The common name, Skullcap, is said to be named after the helmet like shape of the flowers; perhaps She was named after Her sedative properties.

She is Native to the eastern US, and can be found in moist woodland areas throughout NA. Most sources of Skullcap are from domesticated gardens, as She is challenging to find in the Wild. Her blue flowers appear from July through September. Matthew Wood says “Brilliant blue is one of the most reliable of the color signatures. It almost always indicates an antispasmodic" (Also Lobelia, Blue Vervain, Chamomile, Blue Cohosh, Wood Betony). The Book of Herbal Wisdom : Using Plant Medicines, 1997.

Nervine: Powerful for nervous disorders due to tension, stress, anxiety; from nervous exhaustion, mental stress, headaches, migraines, panic attacks, and nervous tremors; for nervousness, fear, restlessness, irritability, anxiety. Invite Her when there is nervous system hyper sensitivity, deep muscle tension, heart palpitations, and ongoing adrenalin rushes. She also has been used for nerve pain resulting from Sciatica and Shingles.

She is a powerful aid for sleep and insomnia caused by nervousness and anxiety. Also beneficial when sleep is disrupted by sciatica pain, neuralgia, toothache etc.

Effective in both acute situations (few drops) and over a long period as a basic palliative restorative herb. It heals the damaging effects from long term stress, drug or alcohol abuse, restoring the overall health of the Central Nervous System.

Kiva Rose writes that Skullcap is good for "'emotionally reactive' people who have that desperate, flying off the handle kind of reactivity … 'at the end of their rope' is a good metaphor. David Winston describes it as people likely to 'fly off the handle' when they get stressed out. Usually this kind of reactivity is followed by a feeling hopelessness and being out of control. I see this as a kind of kidney cycle where there is usually deficient water element in someone." ~ KR responding to Jim McDonald www.kivasenchantments.com

Skullcap has powerful nutritive properties that are deeply nourishing for the nervous system; it is especially beneficial for those who are dry, hot, and who need to open the flow of energy through the body. Kiva Rose writes that Skullcap opens up "the internal flow of energy stress, helping to move it and let it cycle out. This is different from just sedating the nerves because it is a nourishing, native process for the body ... It has the unique ability of modulating the flow of life energy river, moving dams and quietly adjusting the flow of energy back where it goes." Note that She "seems to be a very moving type of herb, and not all people need to be moved along, some need more in the way of grounding and deepening from a nervine and so may find another herb more ideal." ~ www.animacenter.org

Digestion:Bitter properties also good for digestion, for gas, general pain in the GI tract.Bitter taste is cooling, helping to clear heat, useful for Pitta / Adrenal stress tendencies.

Muscular Helpful to relieve the sensation of pain throughout the body.

Contraindications:David Hoffmann writes that "Skullcap can potentiate the effects of sedative medications." (DH 382)She may aggravate dryness or be overly cooling; balance with moistening, warming herbs when needed.

Medical Disclaimer It is not my intent to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.